August 9, 2018
Mumtaz Sanghamita speaks on The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2017
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Thank you, Sir, for allowing me. I am very surprised that honourable minister has said that this is a very simple thing. But it cannot be a simple thing, it is a question of people’s identity. It is a question of people’s rights. How can proxy vote do the thing?
First of all, when we are trying to abolish all sorts of irregularities from everywhere, we are creating another irregularity by allowing proxy vote. How can we be sure the person who will give the proxy vote will do so exactly as per the original voter’s wishes? One person, who is a genuine voter, probably he or she will be the proxy voter; so one person can give the vote twice? To make it a very foolproof thing is very difficult.
The Government is trying to show that it is thinking about the NRIs. We understand where the vote goes. But they are shedding crocodile tears for the vast migrants in the different states; they will not able to give a proxy votes. So this is irregular and not fool proof at all. Electronic voting system is also not foolproof. Government should think twice or thrice before implementing. Though we are passing the Bill, I think it is irregular and unnatural thing.
